This is my first ever MAC blusher! So here are my thoughts on Gingerly (£18)...
The finish is described as 'Sheertone', which just means that it's a build-able shade that doesn't go on straight away with all guns blazing. The actual finish of Gingerly is matte (you can also get shimmery Sheertones). The shade is a beautiful gingery peachy terracotta-y type colour! I'd say it's absolutely perfect for medium skintones, especially if you have quite yellow undertones.
It applies very nicely, it has such a smooth texture; not chalky in the slightest! This paired with the sheer finish means it's super-hard to go wrong with this one and it's really easy to apply. It's the perfect colour for Autumn and it can be worn during the day or, if you want the focus to be on your eyes or lips, it also works as a natural shade for at night time. £18 is a lot for a blusher, so personally if I'm investing in something from MAC or Nars, it's really important that I get a lot of wear out of the shade. You definitely will with Gingerly.
Left: flash, Right: no flash
It lasts me all day (even on my shiny face!) and doesn't go patchy. Here's how it looked once applied:
All in all, no the colour won't set the world on fire with how exciting and different it is, but if it suits your skintone it's going to be something you find yourself reaching for again and again. If you want to make a sound investment then that's what really matters.
TL; DR
Pros
* Natural colour
* Sheer but you don't feel short-changed with the colour payoff
* Shade is perfect for Autumn
* Versatile, so it's an investment buy
* Easy to apply
* Durable
* Great for beginners
Cons
* The colour won't flatter everyone
* Whichever way you cut it, £18 is a lot for a single blusher
The Verdict
Colour Pay-Off: ****
Ease of Application: *****
Durability: *****
Shade: ****.5
Finish: *****
Texture: *****
Value for Money: ***
Overall
****.5/5
